I really don't understand the comparisons with live audiences watching people play games like League of Legends/StarCraft/whatever. At those events, they players are playing the game in the same format the audiences do at home.

With the GPL, they are changing the game to suit an audience they don't even know exists. It's a different format (teams, 30-40 minute matches, standing) that isn't played outside of the GPL environment.

Me neither. That's not my quote.

More infos :

http://www.pokerlistings.com/alex-dr...the-fans-88772

http://www.parttimepoker.com/global-...ssion-upcoming

I notice in the Pokerlistings article, you say Martin Jacobson has shown his interest.
When I read his tweet, I took it as sarcasm:

'@alex_dreyfus Love the standing rule, no sport should be played sitting down. I hope this comes to fruition.'

Black Friday basically destroyed the huge momentum of poker on TV resulting from the poker boom when the players had personality and the shows were exciting to watch. Poker is dying and this new idea isn't going to bring in a new group of players, although I wish it success, I know it's not going to fly.

It's going to die just as quickly as the ludicrous "International Stadiums Poker Tour". Remember all the fanfare before it fizzled out? Same same.

Poker is dead. I don't even follow the WSOP any more. I don't care, and I'm someone who plays 12 hours a day, seven days a week. I very much doubt that people who don't play poker will suddenly develop an interest.

You shouldn't He meant it.

Alex

Unless you are going to pay the players and their travel expenses, then team sponsorship model is one of the most (no probably the most) important element of your plans.

since you are being pretty transparent on all of this , could you share some info on this? who are you hoping the sponsors to be? do you have any sponsors signed up ?

Without those in place GPL seems implausible, unless you plan to fund the teams for the first few seasons.

Of course, players are paid and all expenses covered, like any other 'normal' league. I believe it was written in my interviews, but not clear enough.

I understand they will be paid, my question is by who?

not hating, I'm interested in what you are doing. No matter will be good for poker, and if your vision becomes reality it will be very very good for poker

They are contractors of the Team they are part of, so technically they are paid by the Team Owner. Team/Franchise budget will be feed by the League revenues and the Team revenue. Obviously in year 1 and 2, very likely to loose money, but they are investing in their own brand/asset, so their are keen for that. They are building value.

Would you give some examples of what/who a team owner would be ?

NASCAR type model with individual owning a team and selling sponsorships?

Or NFL type model where league sell sponsorships / ad revenue and share with team owners?

still really confused on the economics of this at the player / team owner level.

twitch.tv/gpl at 1pm EST.

Yes, very much so. I'd be surprised if there isn't copyright issues. It's even called The Cube.

Starting in 20 minutes: http://www.twitch.tv/gpl

Well, I learnt absolutely nothing of note from that. If anything, the Holdem X has meant there are far more questions than before.

We learned a lot. It's just going to take a few hours to work out what it is we've learned

Here is the full keynote: http://www.twitch.tv/gpl/v/20664006

I think this is going to work. Thats not BS optimism and there is no incentive behind that statement from me. Alex actually just convinced me that people are going to like this.

First part of GPL Q&A - http://www.twitch.tv/gpl/v/20664006

Second part of GPL Q&A - http://www.twitch.tv/gpl/v/20681254

I would agree Alex is very convincing. I don't know him, this was the first time I heard him speak about GPL, but seems like the kind of guy that makes things happen.

As to whether it works or not, the only thing that matters is if GPL can build an audience of sufficient size and demographics to attract interest from mainstream advertisers. Everything else is secondary.

If so, then poker world will be changed in a very positive way.

If not, then GPL will still provide short term boost to poker awareness and interest and will move the needle a bit to poker as a game of skill vs a bunch of degen gamblers.

Poker world wins either way.

Its exciting to see something fresh and innovative in this space.

I hope its a big success and wish them the best.

wish this the best of luck, even tho im skeptical about it its good to know we have people that are still trying to grow the industry.

bonne chance.

In one of the interviews it says there will be no franchise names, and it will just be the name of the city. Is franchise name different than team name, or will the teams not have names? That would be weird. Its one thing to root for New York, but a lot better to root for the New York Nitterbockers.

So will there be team names and colors? Also during the online games, are there cameras/audio so you can see and hear the players? And will it be set up so the opponents can see and hear each other so there can still be table talk vs a chat box? Plus that way you can make sure the online players arent secretly sitting down trying to gain an edge.

Nitterbockers, awesome

^ They are copying other elements of lame American sports (drafts, conferences), so I imagine the teams will have cutesy names.

I took it to mean that the sponsors won't be choosing the names, so you won't see the London Vodafones.

If anyone wants to know, the problem with having a draft is that there will be no connection between the players and the city they supposedly represent. Why should I as an English person support London when it's represented by Negreanu playing online in his villa in Las Vegas?

I thought it was clear, but yeah it will be the Las Vegas XYZ or the New York Warriors, etc ...

During Online Games, there will some interaction yes with players.

Yes, we have a rule that you can have a team name that is a commercial brand, except if it is a common name (in dictionary).

no, you'll see that the team owners will likely (and been recommended) to choose people that are related to the city they own. A London owner, will take british guys, I can guarantee you that.